Song of Solomon

 

LeRoy Eims

 

 

There is some disagreement among Bible teachers as to just what the Song of Solomon is all about. To many it is simply a song that magnifies the joys of two people in love. Its essence is in its tender and devoted expressions of the delights of wedded love. It seems to me that since marriage was ordained of God, this song could be an expression of the love of two people whom the Lord has made one in His holy bonds.

 

At most weddings that I have attended the minister has read from Ephesians 5. Here Paul says, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ, and the church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife, see that she reverence her husband." (Ephesians 5:31‑33).

 

The Apostle Paul likened the relationship between the husband and wife as that between Christ and the church. This, therefore, could be God's revelation to us as to the beauty and joys of two people in holy matrimony.

 

Just as the rest of the Old Testament teaches us deep and abiding lessons about Jesus Christ and the life He came to give us, the Song of Solomon is no exception. Christ is the central theme of the entire Bible and this book can give us insight into the relationship of Christ and His people. So even in the literal interpretation of the book we learn eternal truths.

 

It shows the believer in Christ overcoming the things that would separate him from his Lord: The allurements of the world and the temptations that come his way or a test of his love. It also shows the joy and happiness of the child of God, safe in the love of Christ and having the assurance that nothing can come between him and his Lord.

 

I have often wondered why this book is not only called the Song of Solomon, but also the "Song of Songs." One reason could be that Solomon condensed the best of his 1,005 songs which he wrote. "And he spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were a thousand and five." (I Kings 4:32)

 

Another possible solution is this: you will recall that this is not the only song in the Bible. They were sung under special circumstances and are charged with the significance of the moment. The souls of the singers were so gripped by the event that they burst into song, the most expressive way the overflowing heart can release its praise.

 

Moses sang two songs. One concerned the deliverance of Israel from the Egyptians when Israel was trapped at the Red Sea. When God destroyed the Egyptians and saved His people, Moses sang, "Who is like unto thee, 0 Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people whom thou hast redeemed; thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation." (Exodus 15:11‑13)

 

The second song was sung when they were delivered from the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. "Give ear, 0 ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, Oh earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass, because I will publish the name of the Lord; ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment; a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." (Deuteronomy 32:1‑4)

 

There is also the song of Hannah. This is a song of thanksgiving when God answered her prayer for a child. "There is none holy like the Lord; for there is none beside thee, neither is there any rock like our God." (I Samuel 2:2)

 

Then there is the song of David, a song of thanksgiving for God's deliverance from his enemies, from the hand of Saul, and for God's many blessings. "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, the God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from mine enemies." (II Samuel 22:2‑4)

 

Let me encourage you to study this song of Solomon. Let the Lord speak to your heart from these pages of His Holy Word.

 

 

 

© Copyright 2002, LeRoy Eims